Australia Confirms F-35 Parts Were Mistakenly Diverted to Hong Kong, Sparking U.S. Security Review
Australia’s defense minister confirmed Tuesday that F-35 fighter jet components were mistakenly diverted to Hong Kong, a disclosure that has triggered scrutiny in Washington over how a sensitive military shipment left its intended supply chain and whether advanced U.S. technology could have been exposed.
The admission came after Politico first reported last week that U.S. lawmakers were investigating the mishap. The shipment, which was bound for the United States for repairs, was rerouted in transit from Australia this summer, the outlet said, citing three people familiar with the matter.
“We’ve been made aware of this, and we’re obviously working with the United States and Lockheed in terms of how we can assist in this investigation,” Defense Minister Richard Marles told reporters in Adelaide.
According to Politico, an intermediary was transporting the parts on behalf of Lockheed Martin, the F-35’s prime contractor. It was not immediately clear why the shipment was rerouted or how it ended up in Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China.
The incident touches a long-standing U.S. concern: China’s efforts to obtain sensitive information about advanced American weapons, including the F-35. A U.S. Air Force report in June described how Beijing has closely monitored U.S. progress, sought to replicate its advantages and expanded work on stealth aircraft and anti-stealth air defenses as China seeks to expand its military power.
Congress briefed as Pentagon acknowledges shipment issue
Politico reported that the diversion has prompted a series of briefings for congressional staff on key national security committees. State Department and Pentagon officials briefed congressional staff in June, and additional briefings are expected in the coming weeks, according to the report.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon confirmed that some components were missing. A Department of Defense spokesperson told CNN that the F-35 Joint Program Office was “aware of a shipment issue of unserviceable F-35 Lightning II components.”
“We are actively working with U.S. authorities and industry partners to retrieve these components, investigate the incident, and place safeguards to avoid a future occurrence,” the spokesperson said.
The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter widely regarded as the world’s most advanced combat aircraft. Lockheed describes it as the “most lethal, survivable and connected fighter aircraft.”
Australia says no sensitive parts in missing shipment
Marles said Tuesday that it was his understanding that no sensitive parts were included in the missing shipment.
“We are examining very much everything that has occurred at the Australian end, but the point I would make here is that we are confident about the way in which we’ve engaged with the program,” he said.
“This is ultimately a matter for the U.S. and Lockheed, as its prime contractor and the contractor that is responsible for managing the global supply chain,” he added.
CNN has reached out to the Australian Defence Force for more detail.
In a statement to CNN, Lockheed said it could not discuss the status of shipments for security reasons but said it follows regulations set by the U.S. Defense Department and the Defense Logistics Agency.
“Our teams handle every shipment with the utmost diligence and safeguards to ensure the integrity of the F-35 program and the security of our allied partners,” Lockheed said.
CNN has reached out to the State Department and the U.S. House and Senate Armed Services committees.
The Hong Kong government declined to comment to CNN. The U.S. consulate in Hong Kong directed CNN to the State Department.
A global program with a complex supply chain
The episode highlights the logistical and security challenges facing the F-35 program, which relies on a global network of manufacturers, maintenance hubs and intermediaries. According to Lockheed’s website, there are only eight F-35 partner countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark and Norway. Several other countries also operate or are acquiring F-35s.
Australia received its first F-35 in 2014, and its Air Force was expected to reach full operational capability in 2025, according to Lockheed’s website.
The mishap is likely to sharpen scrutiny of how defense contractors and their logistics partners handle components for advanced weapons systems. U.S. officials have not said whether the components carried sensitive data, but any diversion of U.S.-origin defense articles to Hong Kong is likely to draw close attention from export-control and national security authorities.
Officials have not publicly said what happened to the components or who may have received them. The investigation is continuing.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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